Greetings! Welcome to the final Monday Gate Drop of August. I cannot believe I’m saying this as it makes me wonder where the summer went. Honestly, it feels like just yesterday that we were out West at the opening rounds of the Triple Crown Series. Time always seems to fly by when you’re busy and having fun, and those two things pretty much sum up my 2024 summer. Now, it’s onto September and my second favourite month of the year.
On Saturday at Ironman Raceway in Indiana, it was time for the final round of the 2024 Pro Motocross Championships. With Haiden Deegan wrapping up the 250 class title last weekend at Budds Creek, the only question remaining was surrounding Chase Sexton, and would he be able to close out the 450 title on Saturday. Chase entered the final round with a sizable lead over Hunter Lawrence, so it would’ve taken a strange set of circumstances to upset Sexton’s championship day. Since Round 2 in Hangtown, when Sexton went from last to first in the second moto, the 450 title has been his to lose in my opinion. Even though Jett Lawrence won a few more motos after that, Sexton has been on a new level this summer, and he and his KTM have appeared to be very in sync. Also, I’m sure a few of the top riders will be looking closer at Sexton’s training program as all summer he’s been by far the fittest rider on the track. On Saturday, Sexton dominated both 450 motos, and if you get a chance, try and find a replay of his opening lap in Moto 2 when he went from sixth to first. It was pretty amazing, and it certainly put a stamp on his first-ever 450 outdoor title.
Behind Sexton, was his teammate Aaron Plessinger and the comeback kid, Eli Tomac battling it out for second and third. For Plessinger, this was his final chance to win a moto this summer and stand on the top step of the podium. He did everything he could in both motos, but, it just wasn’t enough. Tomac, who returned to racing last weekend at Budds Creek, was back up to speed, and at times he showed us a glimpse of his famous “beast mode”, especially in the second moto. Plessinger and Tomac were also battling it out for the final spot on Team USA for the 2024 MXON. This would’ve been a tough decision for the AMA and Team Manager Roger DeCoster, as you could make a case for both riders to be on the team. However, as of this morning it was reported that Tomac has withdrawn his name from the selection process. Apparently, he felt that Plessinger had earned the right to be on Team USA, and he didn’t want to be picked simply because he’s Eli Tomac. If this is indeed the case, then this is a classy move by Tomac and one that should be applauded. Plessinger has been riding great, and he’s a great choice to represent America at the MXON. However, unless it rains, I honestly don’t think Plessinger’s wild and loose style suits this type of event, or the Matterly Basin track. Also, I heard that Deegan stated that the only way he’ll go to the MXON was if his Star Racing teammate Tomac was on the team. So if Deegan says no, or he cannot because of a nagging wrist injury that he has, then who is next in line to ride a 250 for Team USA? I guess it would have to be Levi Kitchen, or RJ Hampshire again. I believe that Tomac was indeed going to be named to Team USA this week, as he would bring such a high degree of calm and experience to a potential team of Deegan and Sexton. Now, with Tomac taking his name out of consideration, it allows him to focus solely on the SMX Playoffs, WSX, and then getting ready for the 2025 Monster Energy SX Series. Having built a little momentum in the past two weekends, this isn’t a bad plan at all for Tomac.
Also on the track at Ironman Raceway were three of our young Canadian riders trying to qualify in the 250 class. After having little success last weekend at Budds Creek, Devyn Smith, Austin Jones, and Sebastien Racine were all riding better on Saturday. Although, Smith and Jones came up a little short of qualifying, it was great to see them out there, and I’m sure it was a great experience to finish off their 2024 season. For Racine, I would’ve been shocked and disappointed if he again didn’t qualify this past weekend. I believe that he’s capable of being a title contender here in Canada, so when you have that type of speed, you had better qualify for a USA National. Thankfully, Racine was up to speed quickly in qualifying and he was able to make the motos in the 250 class. Unfortunately, a crash brought an end to his opening moto. However, a very strong second 250 moto saw Racine finish 22nd on a very challenging Ironman track. All things considered, you could make a case that this was one of Racine’s best races of 2024. Dylan Wright was also slated to race Ironman, but decided last week, not to go. Given all that he’s been through this summer, as well as his current preparation for Team Canada, this was most likely a wise decision. In an interview I did with Kaven Benoit last week, he stated that he, Wright, and Jess Pettis are all planning on getting together to ride and train as a team throughout September. This is great news as who better to ride with then your very fast teammates. With very few events between now and the MXON for our Team Canada riders, riding together will be necessary in order to keep up their intensity. This should also ensure that Team Canada’s chemistry will be at an all-time high when they arrive in the UK. Obviously, Benoit and Pettis are close after being teammates for two years, but for Pettis and Wright to put aside their differences, and focus on being the best Team Canada teammates they can be is truly remarkable. This can only lead to good things at the MXON in October.
Another one of our top Canadian riders, Cole Thompson, has begun to ramp up his training as he prepares for some upcoming SX events. I spoke to him recently and he said that he wouldn’t be racing any of the SMX Playoff events. However, he would be open to racing the opening WSX round in Vancouver, but as of right now he wasn’t planning on it. His current focus is the 2025 Monster Energy SX Series in January. So, if Cole (our top SX rider), isn’t planning on racing in Vancouver, which Canadian riders (if any) are going to be lining up? Kevin Tyler told me that none of his riders will be there, I can’t see any of the KTM Canada Team, or GDR Honda riders committing to it, perhaps the WLTN Kawasaki Team would be able to send Quinn Amyotte. Maybe Julien Benek can get in as a wild card entry? I would think that a WSX race in Canada would need and want at least a few Canadian riders on the gate. We shall see how this plays out but, I wouldn’t be surprised in the end to see Cole Thompson in Vancouver.
Well, that is it for me this week. However, before I go I want to send a big congratulations to Trystan Hart who won the 2024 AMA Hard Enduro Championship this past weekend after a solid second place in the Red Bull TKO event. Finally, Team Canada finished 9th overall at this weekend’s Vet MXON in the UK. Under the supervision of Team Manager Steve Matthes, our team of Ryan Lockhart, Ryan Gauld, and Tyler Medaglia survived the festivities to bring home a solid finish. I won’t pretend to know how this event works, so I’ll leave it up to Newf to answer in his 3 Q’s story on Friday. Thank for reading and please enjoy these final few days of August.
